Evidence backbone
Research Library
521 individually sourced evidence items documenting the systemic challenges facing creators across 43 disciplines. This is the evidence backbone of SaveTheCreators' public advocacy work.
By the Numbers
What is published today
The underlying evidence and faceted explorer are live. Editorial research summaries and featured reports are still future layers. This page prioritizes source-backed evidence over polished narratives that have not been written yet.
Source Diversity
Evidence spans US, UK, EU, Japan, India, China, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Pakistan, Paraguay, Vietnam, Italy, Australia, and more.
Peer-Reviewed Academic Studies
Nature, Harvard, Springer, JAMA, The Lancet
Government Data
BLS, DOJ, FTC, Copyright Office, NEA
Industry Bodies
IGDA, SAG-AFTRA, Authors Guild, WGA, Animation Guild
Investigative Journalism
New York Times, NPR, Variety, The Guardian, ProPublica
Trade Publications
Game Developer, PetaPixel, The Bookseller, Dezeen
International Organizations
UNESCO, ILO, CPJ, Reuters Institute, UNI Global
8 Universal Themes
These cross-cutting themes emerge from the full 43-sheet evidence base. They are structural failures affecting the entire creative economy.
Payments & Compensation Crisis Is Universal
Every single sheet documents economic exploitation. This is the only theme with 100% coverage.
AI Disruption Is Pervasive
35 of 43 sheets contain AI-focused evidence.
Platform Dependency
Google, Amazon, TikTok, Spotify, and Apple dominate as gatekeepers across creative fields.
Burnout and Mental Health
Documented in nearly every sheet, from 55% suicidality in film/TV to invisible labor burnout in community cultural work.
Vanishing Middle Class
Winner-take-all dynamics concentrate revenue in the top 1-10% of creators.
IP Vulnerability
IP frameworks systematically fail creative workers across fashion, 3D printing, calligraphy, culinary, and more.
Knowledge and Craft Extinction
72 crafts critically endangered. Apprenticeship systems collapsing across disciplines.
Insurance and Benefits Gap
40-43% of independent artists lack health insurance across creative fields.
Browse All Evidence
The full evidence explorer is live below. Search across the full corpus, filter by pillar or discipline, narrow by publication year, and keep the original source citations in view while you browse.
The Evidence Demands Action
521 evidence items across 43 disciplines tell a clear story: the creative economy is broken. Sign the Declaration to stand with creators fighting for change.